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Dissertation
Narrative lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic: advancing nursing education and practice preparedness in alignment with the AACN essentials
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
May 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010981
Abstract
This study employed a qualitative research design to investigate the impact of innovative learning activities and teaching methods during the COVID-19 pandemic on the preparedness of nursing graduates for practice. Through narrative inquiry, participants shared personal stories about their educational experiences, allowing for the identification of themes and insights into their readiness for practice in the nursing workforce. Social media was utilized to recruit participants, specifically targeting nursing graduates who had experienced nontraditional learning methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five participants who graduated from their respective nursing programs with at least one semester of coursework affected by the COVID-19 pandemic were identified from the survey. Each participant had virtual learning and/or altered learning experiences for at least 1 semester, took their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) within 6 months of graduation and passed on the first attempt, started working in the nursing workforce within 6 months of graduation, and could discuss the altered learning activities and experiences they encountered during their nursing education. The research aimed to understand the experiences of graduates during the pandemic, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the learning activities implemented. Adopting an interpretivist perspective, I analyzed how these altered learning activities influenced students' thoughts and experiences related to their preparedness to practice as nurses. Ultimately, this research evaluated the impact of modified teaching methods on graduates' transition to the workforce, providing valuable insights for nurse educators to enhance curricula and support competency-based education aligned with the new American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN] Essentials.
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Details
- Title
- Narrative lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
- Creators
- Kristen M. Hammerer
- Contributors
- Harriette Rasmussen (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 204 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022057537304721